Show HN: ChatSecure iOS v3.0 (OTR + Tor + XMPP)

#1

Post by chrisballinger » Mon, Jan 05, 2015, 8:24 PM UTC

Show HN: ChatSecure iOS v3.0 (OTR + Tor + XMPP)
chatsecure.org

Re: Show HN: ChatSecure iOS v3.0 (OTR + Tor + XMPP)

#2

Post by Mizza » Mon, Jan 05, 2015, 8:27 PM UTC

Great to see this finally get out there, it's been awesome to watch this project develop!

This is also a particularly good release write-up, big ups to the team for writing about all of the components that have gone into this new release.

Re: Show HN: ChatSecure iOS v3.0 (OTR + Tor + XMPP)

#3

Post by funcSoulBrother » Mon, Jan 05, 2015, 8:29 PM UTC

Pretty excited about the hidden TOR xmpp functionality in this version, since NAT won't ever be an issue.

Re: Show HN: ChatSecure iOS v3.0 (OTR + Tor + XMPP)

#4

Post by laveur » Mon, Jan 05, 2015, 8:31 PM UTC

Does the fact that they use Tor make it more secure? It seems like the network has been getting hacked a lot lately.

Re: Show HN: ChatSecure iOS v3.0 (OTR + Tor + XMPP)

#5

Post by dewey » Mon, Jan 05, 2015, 8:40 PM UTC

laveur wrote: post #4

Does the fact that they use Tor make it more secure? It seems like the network has been getting hacked a lot lately.

It's not "getting hacked a lot". What you are talking about is probably just the take-down of a few hidden services with poor operational security.

Re: Show HN: ChatSecure iOS v3.0 (OTR + Tor + XMPP)

#6

Post by dewey » Mon, Jan 05, 2015, 8:41 PM UTC

Very excited for this, just from the GUI point of view it's a big step forward.

Re: Show HN: ChatSecure iOS v3.0 (OTR + Tor + XMPP)

#7

Post by tyrion » Mon, Jan 05, 2015, 9:14 PM UTC

If you are so concerned about privacy and security, why use an iOS device at all?

Note: I am not trolling. It is a serious question. I mean, probably no one would be using ChatSecure if it were not Free Software, rightly, because nobody could audit its source code, but then isn't it a security/privacy issue using it on top of a completely closed platform?

Re: Show HN: ChatSecure iOS v3.0 (OTR + Tor + XMPP)

#8

Post by mrmondo » Mon, Jan 05, 2015, 9:19 PM UTC

I'd love to see Moxie review this!

Re: Show HN: ChatSecure iOS v3.0 (OTR + Tor + XMPP)

#9

Post by ex3ndr » Mon, Jan 05, 2015, 9:20 PM UTC

We in Actor.im tried to build tor-enabled messaging (on better and faster protocol), but for working tor engine need to download 1-3mb files every 4 hour period. So, this became useless in mobile environment. Tor need to do step forward to mobile before we can really use it.

Re: Show HN: ChatSecure iOS v3.0 (OTR + Tor + XMPP)

#10

Post by chrisballinger » Mon, Jan 05, 2015, 9:30 PM UTC

tyrion wrote: post #7

If you are so concerned about privacy and security, why use an iOS device at all? Note: I am not trolling. It is a serious question. I mean, probably no one would be using ChatSecure if it were not Free Software, rightly, because nobody could audit its source code, but then isn't it a security/privacy issue using it on top of a completely closed platform?

Most people don't choose their devices like a developer would and instead focus on things like ease of use (or the best marketing campaign). Just because a platform doesn't offer completely perfect theoretical security and privacy, users should still have access to tools that can help.